Recently I have taken notice of Mauresmo and Hingis plummeting down the ranks. It seems that every tournament they enter, they either choke in the first rounds or get kicked out the house by some noob tennis player.

This should not be possible considering their theoretical capability of playing high level tennis. Havent they adapt enough to the modern day game? Or do they get older and perform accordingly to their decrease in physical capabilities? Either way, they should adapt because their efforts seem to result in failure over and over, making them dropping down the rankings.

I guess Serena is an example of this as well. When you compare her to Henin in the quest for no.1. Just hitting hard isn't enough. Henin worked hard to open up her game. So that it could be effective on other courts than clay.

But what about the likes of Schnyder and Dementieva? These girls prove that you can be consistent even without the need to adapt.
These women have played with same approach throughout their entire careers and have maintained a fairly consistent ranking along with it.
Both rely on tremendous footwork and overall fitness, which can be a weapon against anyone at any time...

I guess I haven't followed today's game closely enough because I don't have the impression that Martina and Amelie are as out of it as you're saying. I just thought they were struggling with injuries and personal issues. I don't know about your praise for Elena and Patty, though, because those two are at the top of the list, I think, of players not living up to their full potential i.e. they should've won majors by now. Amelie was in the same boat until she (finally) broke through last year. Adapting is important but in the end, you have to play your game if you want to consistently win.

Recently I have taken notice of Mauresmo and Hingis plummeting down the ranks. It seems that every tournament they enter, they either choke in the first rounds or get kicked out the house by some noob tennis player.

This should not be possible considering their theoretical capability of playing high level tennis. Havent they adapt enough to the modern day game? Or do they get older and perform accordingly to their decrease in physical capabilities? Either way, they should adapt because their efforts seem to result in failure over and over, making them dropping down the rankings.

I guess Serena is an example of this as well. When you compare her to Henin in the quest for no.1. Just hitting hard isn't enough. Henin worked hard to open up her game. So that it could be effective on other courts than clay.

But what about the likes of Schnyder and Dementieva? These girls prove that you can be consistent even without the need to adapt.
These women have played with same approach throughout their entire careers and have maintained a fairly consistent ranking along with it.
Both rely on tremendous footwork and overall fitness, which can be a weapon against anyone at any time...

I wonder what you all think about this

Yes, it is enough. Serena simply isn't hitting with as much pace as she was earlier this year. Compare the early rounds of Miami to the USO- the differences are very apparent.

While that's an interesting theory, it doesn't really hold up when you simply consider the fact that Mauresmo is still recovering after an appendectomy and that Hingis has an ongoing hip injury. Their respective rankings have taken a hit because of injuries, not any degeneration of talent and ability.

Recently I have taken notice of Mauresmo and Hingis plummeting down the ranks. It seems that every tournament they enter, they either choke in the first rounds or get kicked out the house by some noob tennis player.

This should not be possible considering their theoretical capability of playing high level tennis. Havent they adapt enough to the modern day game?

It's been a very long time since Mauresmo has won a slam, hasn't it. Oh yeah, 2006. Two of them. Guess she really failed to adapt to the modern game.

I guess Serena is an example of this as well. When you compare her to Henin in the quest for no.1. Just hitting hard isn't enough. Henin worked hard to open up her game. So that it could be effective on other courts than clay.

Serena doesn't hit hard nearly as often as she did in 2002, and she uses a lot more topspin. Arguably, by 'adapting', she's winning LESS often.

But what about the likes of Schnyder and Dementieva? These girls prove that you can be consistent even without the need to adapt. These women have played with same approach throughout their entire careers and have maintained a fairly consistent ranking along with it.
Both rely on tremendous footwork and overall fitness, which can be a weapon against anyone at any time...

Punching people is an effective weapon in wartime, but it usually loses to an AK47. Schyder and Dementieva may be consistent, but they don't win slams. Arguably, they don't even come close. (Dementieva's performance in slam finals ... ugh) Serena's won eight slams including one this year. Mauresmo won two last year.

Your arguement might have merit, but you're using the wrong examples. Serena Williams and Amelie Mauresmo have both vastly changed their games since their first slam finals (both in 1999, oddly enough). Those two HAVE adapted. And Hingis has tried. She's just not that elite of a physical specimen. Go back to wood rackets and Hingis could still win slams.

Proud to be an AmericanNot blind. Not uninformed. We are party to atrocities. But the response of the world after 9/11 is worth noting. Even our most dire enemies offered aid. We should all be so lucky.

Hingis and Mauresmo have adapted to the modern game. I am not seeing new wta players doing what they haven't done or are doing?? You make it appear as if the new school of kids are winning many slams and titles. Hingis and Momo are both going through injuries and personal issues.

I don't know what you getting at when you talk of Elena D and Patty Schydner they both show inconsistant moments all the time.

Only after the last tree has been cut down
Only after the last river has been poisoned
Only after the last fish has been caught
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten. "Cree Native American Prophecy"